You are though. You’ve literally called him world class and one of the best young players in Europe and then when someone says well why doesn’t he produce at that level you laugh as if they’re the ones saying the mad stuff. It’s honestly quite weird.
I think there are things taken out of context a bit there mate.
I have not said he is currently world class, literally or otherwise, I have said he has the potential to be, and that is why Chelsea are paying what they are. In Chelsea's eyes, he is already priced in at one of the best young talents in Europe. They are just points of order.
The discussion points I raise are not really about people saying hes not currently world class. I dont think hes world class currently. It is people saying he isnt good enough to be in our squad, hes below championship standard, hes the same level as Nketia etc. If that were the case, why dont Chelsea, or Tottenham, or Newcastle just go and buy Nketia, or a random championship player?
The standard is now being set, that unless he scores more goals than Foden, hes not good enough. In said post I've taken issue with that. It's a ridiculous expectation level. Even if he were the best 21 year old winger in the world, he would probably struggle to do that. I'm not sure why that equates to me thinking hes world class? It just seems an effort to try and deflect from an expectation level that is not realistic.
I kind of understand it. People are worried we wont get the players in we need, understandably have no faith in the club and see a big potential fee, potentially being lost which would prevent us doing so. I understand the concern, and the anger, but its being misdirected. Primarily, that has nothing to do with Gordon. He remains a young academy graduate, who ideally needs to show improvement, and can still do so and be well behind what Foden has done.
But also frankly towards me. It is irrelevant even if I did view him as a world class player (not just a player who could be world class/excellent). I dont make the decisions either way, if people.are frustrated that needs to be directed at the decision makers.
I try to avoid it as it's not really helpful and in honesty it's not how I view it, but objectively I've already been proven correct on Gordon. I have said pretty consistently if he was made available top clubs would be interested in him and that he would go for a sizeable fee (I think I said above 30m, but specifics are not crucial here). A lot of the people who seem to want to deride him made out this had no chance of happening, as hes not very good, had no potential to improve so was an impossibility. They were half right, if their assessment of Gordon was accurate, it would have been impossible. But that's the obvious if.
But anyway, a bit long verbose from me. I dont think Gordon is world class currently, I think he has potential to become world class, and the market is pricing him as that, and as one of the most talented European young players. My own view, as stated consistently, is that we should take the cash. On a risk/reward basis, I like the insurance payment now on the basis hes not going to achieve it, particularly if he stays here, as our record is not so great in that area.
